Top 10 Most Developed Countries in Africa

Despite the huge presence of human and natural resources, Africa is the least-developed continent outside of Antarctica, with many of its countries still mired in issues including poverty, government corruption, and armed conflict.  However, amidst the poverty, corruption, and armed conflict, they are few countries who classified as developed as they boast of a stable and functional government, a robust infrastructure, a strong educational system, ample job opportunities, comprehensive health and social services, and a high degree of personal freedom. In recognition of these countries, we have compiled a list of the 10 most developed countries in Africa according to the  Human Development Index (HDI).

Over the years, the United Nation’s Human Development Index (HDI) has become the most universally used tool for measuring countries’ developing status. This advanced metric tracks a wide range of indicators, from Adult Literacy Rate and Life Expectancy to Income Inequality and Mobile Phone Subscriptions, then compiles them all into a number between 0.00 and 1.00. According to the United Nations Development Programme, “the HDI was created to emphasize that people and their capabilities should be the ultimate criteria for assessing the development of a country, not economic growth alone

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1. Mauritius

Global Ranking: 66
Life Expectancy: 75.0
GDP: 13.50 billion USD
Gross National Income Per Capita: USD 25,266

Mauritius is the most developed country in Africa. The country was able to undergo remarkable transformation by diversifying its economy beyond its dependence on agriculture, particularly sugar production.  It went from a poor country with high unemployment exporting mainly sugar and buffeted by the vagaries of world demand to become a relatively prosperous and diverse Nation.

2. Seychelles

Global Ranking: 67
Life Expectancy: 73.4
GDP: 1.20 billion USD
Gross National Income Per Capita: USD 26,904

East African country, Seychelles takes second place among the 10 most developed countries in Africa, with an HDI score of 0.796. It has an averaging flourishing economy based on fishing, tourism,  and Agricultural products. The public sector, comprising the government and state-owned enterprises, dominates the economy in terms of employment and gross revenue, employing two-thirds of the labor force.

3. Algeria

Global Ranking: 91
Life Expectancy: 76.9
GDP: 155 billion USD
Gross National Income Per Capita: USD 11,174

Africa’s Largest country Algeria, takes third place among the most developed countries in Africa, with an HDI score of 0.748. The country has been able to develop and expand its economy in recent years, with growth driven mainly by the recovering oil and gas sector. It also has the highest Human Development Index of all non-island African countries. The Algerian government is also working on several possibilities to boost the country’s economic growth, one of which includes the huge foreign-exchange reserves derived from oil and gas.

4. Tunisia

Global Ranking: 95
Life Expectancy: 76.7
GDP: 44.27 billion USD
Gross National Income Per Capita: USD 10,414

With a Human Development Index (HDI) Score of  0.740, Tunisia joins the list of the 10 most developed countries in Africa.  The country’s economic growth historically has depended on oil, phosphates, agri-food products, car parts manufacturing, and tourism. Prudent economic and fiscal planning on the part of the Tunisia Government has also resulted in moderate but sustained growth for over a decade.

5. Botswana

Global Ranking: 100
Life Expectancy: 69.6
GDP: 17 billion USD
Gross National Income Per Capita: USD 16,437

With a Human Development Index (HDI) Score of 0.735, Botswana takes fifth place among the 10 most developed countries in Africa. The country which was formerly one of the world’s poorest countries has transformed itself to become one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, averaging about 5% per annum over the past decade. According to Wikipedia, Botswana’s impressive economic record is built on a foundation of diamond mining, prudent fiscal policies, and a cautious foreign policy.

6. Libya

Global Ranking: 105
Life Expectancy: 72.9
GDP: 24.27 billion USD
Gross National Income Per Capita: USD 15,688

Prior to Gaddafi’s death, Libya had the highest Human Development Index of any country on the continent. Everything however changed due to the 1st and 2nd Libya Civil War. Libya presently has an HDI score of 0.724, taking sixth place among the most developed countries in Africa. The economy of Libya depends primarily on revenues from the petroleum sector, which represents over 95% of export earnings and 60% of GDP. These oil revenues and a small population have given Libya one of the highest nominal per capita GDP in Africa.

7. South Africa

Global Ranking: 114
Life Expectancy: 64.1
GDP: 329 billion USD
Gross National Income Per Capita: USD 12,129

South Africa is the second largest economy and one of the most developed countries in Africa, with a Human Development Index (HDI) Score of 0.709. It also has the most industrialized, technologically advanced, and diversified economy in Africa overall. Although the natural resource extraction industry remains one of the largest in the country with an annual contribution to the GDP of US$13.5 billion, the economy of South Africa has diversified since the end of apartheid, particularly towards services.

8. Egypt

Global Ranking: 166
Life Expectancy: 72.0
GDP: 394 billion USD
Gross National Income Per Capita: USD 11,466

Transcontinental Egypt takes eighth place among the 10 most developed countries in Africa, with a Human Development Index (HDI) Score of 0.707.  The country used to be a highly centralized economy focused on import substitution until 2000 when the government began to make reforms and policies aimed at diversifying Egypt’s economy. These policies have helped Egypt move towards a more market-oriented economy and prompted increased foreign investment. It has also helped to strengthen the macroeconomic annual growth results.

9. Gabon

Global Ranking: 119
Life Expectancy: 66.5
GDP: 16 billion USD
Gross National Income Per Capita: USD 13,930

Abundant natural resources and foreign investment have helped make Gabon one of the most developed countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the 9th highest HDI and the fifth highest GDP per capita (PPP) in all of the continent. According to Wikipedia, The country’s economy is characterized by strong links with France, large foreign investments, dependence on skilled foreign labor, and a decline in agriculture. Also, its reliance on the resource extraction industry releases much of the population from extreme poverty.

10. Morocco

Global Ranking: 121
Life Expectancy: 76.7
GDP: 124 billion USD
Gross National Income Per Capita: USD 7,368

Morocco concludes the list of the 10 most developed countries in Africa, with a Human Development Index (HDI) Score of 0.686. The country has remained relatively stable and prosperous due to its relatively liberal economy, governed by the law of supply and demand. It is also a major player in African economic affairs, the 5th largest African economy by GDP (PPP) and the 1st most competitive economy in North Africa. The services sector accounts for just over half of the GDP while industry and mining contribute about one-third of the annual GDP.

Summary

For the sake of emphasis, here is a recap of the 10 most developed countries in Africa according to the  Human Development Index (HDI).

1. Mauritius
2. Seychelles
3. Algeria
4. Tunisia
5. Botswana
6. Libya
7. South Africa
8. Egypt
9. Gabon
10. Morocco